The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirms its strong condemnation of the terrorist rocket attacks and attacks by Hamas armed groups against the population of Israel, which have already killed and wounded several thousand people, including Ukrainian citizens, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday.
“We consider categorically unacceptable the acts of violence deliberately directed by Hamas against the civilian population, including brutal killings and hostage-taking. The perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to the strictest possible accountability. We unwaveringly support Israel in its right to defend itself and its efforts to counter terrorist acts,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
At the same time, the ministry called it critically important “that the ongoing confrontation does not further lead to an increase in the number of civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict, both in Israel and in Palestine,” and declared its continued support for the “two-state solution” and the diplomatic path to resolving the conflict.
“We believe that the Middle East peace process remains the basis of all efforts aimed at restoring regional stability and security. Ukraine has consistently supported the realization of the principle of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, and supports the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through political and diplomatic means,” the statement reads.
“We are convinced that a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the Middle East can be realized within the framework of the parties’ unconditional implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other international agreements,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summarized.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) is withdrawing Charge d’Affaires for Ukraine in Russia Vasyl Pokotylo for consultations due to the recognition by Russia of the independence of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are not controlled by the Ukrainian government.
“Due to the adoption by the Russian leadership of unlawful decisions to recognize the ‘independence’ of the quasi-formations created by it in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine the so-called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ and ‘Donetsk People’s Republic,’ Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine in Russia Vasyl Pokotylo was summoned to Ukraine for consultations,” the MFA press service said on Tuesday.
In connection with the escalation of the Israel-Palestine confrontation, which is accompanied by rocket and mortar shelling of settlements and riots in many cities of Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly recommends that Ukrainian citizens refrain from traveling to Israel and Palestine.
“Those citizens who are on the territory of Israel and Palestine should observe the rules of personal safety, carefully monitor messages and explanations of local competent authorities and their representatives, and strictly follow their instructions,” the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
It is noted that in case of an emergency or other circumstances that require an immediate consular response, one must contact the Ukrainian Embassy in the State of Israel (emergency phone number: 972 546 676 782, e-mail: emb_il@mfa.gov.ua), the diplomatic institution of Ukraine in Palestine (emergency phone number: 972 59 969 95 61, e-mail: pm_ps@mfa.gov.ua) or the round-the-clock hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine by phone: 38 044 238 16 57, email: cons_or@mfa.gov.ua.
The Foreign Ministry recalled that the decision of the Israeli government to ban foreigners from entering the country from Ukraine’s territory, including citizens of Ukraine in the context of the current epidemiological situation, remains in force.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has voted in favor of a new, fourth Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) for Ukraine, Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk has said. The MFA should also be considered by European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, he said. “I hope for tomorrow’s support amid voting by the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, where three weeks ago, [I] jointly with Commissioner of the European Commission Pierre Moscovici presented the importance of the next macro-financial assistance program for the Ukrainian economy and the continuation of the reform process,” Danyliuk wrote on Facebook on May 16.
As reported, under the third MFA, Ukraine received two tranches from the EU to the tune of EUR 1.2 billion out of the earmarked EUR 1.8 billion. The EC refused to grant a third tranche, as the country’s authorities had fulfilled only 17 of the 21 conditions.
In March 2018, the European Commission approved a fourth macro-financial assistance program for Ukraine worth EUR 1 billion, which is subject to approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
